Weapons seized by the Australian Border Force at a property in Queensland. Justice minister Michael Keenan has announced a gun amnesty.
Photograph: Department of Immigration and Border Protection Handout/EPA

The amnesty has been precipitated by a steady increase in the number of unregistered firearms in Australia, which law enforcement and intelligence agencies now believe to number approximately 260,000.

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The justice minister, Michael Keenan, said: “From three months until 30 September, anyone with an unwanted or unregistered firearm, or a firearm-related item such as ammunition can legally dispose of or register their firearm at approved drop-off points in each State and Territory.”

“My expectation is it will probably not be the case that we will have hardened criminals who have made a big effort to get a hold on illegal guns would necessarily hand them in. The purpose is to reduce the number of unregistered and illicit firearms in the community”.

Although Keenan announced the amnesty today, the amnesty cannot go ahead until state and territory governments pass laws putting it into effect.